Now I know there is another thread happening over in the the 8V section and possibly in general discussion...BUT

What do you 8L owners think of it, and what would you like to fit to our motors from the latest model?

I'll take the 340mm brakes and also the Flat bottom steering wheel but apart from that they can pretty much keep there boring dull shape of a car that doesn't look to different to a normal 8V S line! lol

I also think that with this new release it has only emphasized what a great shape and model they made with the 8L....which I now refer to my friends and family as the 'S3 Mk1'.....soon to be a classic e.g Mk1 Golf GTI

From those pics I would say the arches don't look that flared out....and personally I would take an 8P over this for looks - the 8V model looks more like an A1. Why would you want to make a car that looks like the smaller and cheaper model?

Likes:
The styling is great, especially from rear (love the quad pipes) and side (looks fast even when standing still)
Performance - almost 300bhp standard, with 5.1 0-60 time.
Looks like a quality piece of kit, better than the 8P.
Dash design looks really good - love the air vents

Dislikes:
DRLs that change to orange for indicators - why oh why?
The "quilted" look of the seats - not sure about that
The grey plastic fake diffuser - what's the point on a 1.5+ tonne car?

Is it available in manual? Hope it's not another DSG only car!

Personally I think it's much better than the 8P, but as with all modern cars there's more & more being added that's of little real world benefit IMHO. So the 8L still rules for me!

It's not great looks wise but performance on paper sounds good. What I love about my S3 is that it stands out a mile over the standard A3s of the same generation. This 8V looks no different to a 2.0TDi S-line for Christ's sake.

I'm not a rude boy but some flared arches like the 8L would have gone down a treat. There is too much chrome on it - what's with the chrome surround on the window frames and the front side vents??!! I bet this car was designed by an old person. It is too understated these days the S3 - it should have some presence and a bit of meat on it.

And another thing......what is it with these new type door handles cars are getting now?? I HATE THEM!! Discreet flush door handles built into the car is what I want - streamlined and tidy. Not a clunky grab handle that you see on MPVs.

Any why are wing mirrors now placed on vertical door posts? I know fashions change but I swear we are going back in time!!

Argh! Rant over, but maybe it will grow on me in time. If they offer a black grille to reduce the blingy chrome I'll be happier and some more aggressive wheels would be nice.

Interior looks smart I like that, but the outside is dull nothing really makes me think I'd want that based on looks, but to be honest theres not many modern hatch backs that do anything for me looks wise, although I like the way new ford focus ST looks bar the massive ST badge they stick on the back . I like the alloys on that new S3.

Interior looks smart I like that, but the outside is dull nothing really makes me think I'd want that based on looks, but to be honest theres not many modern hatch backs that do anything for me looks wise, although I like the way new ford focus ST looks bar the massive ST badge they stick on the back . I like the alloys on that new S3.

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i agree with you mate.. i think the rear end "almost" looks like the Q5 or 7 forgot which one excluding the exhaust tips... 8P is way better than this

Thing is you can spot a new Audi from afar, unlike some who have gone for 'Universal' look, albeit for example the new GM/Vauxhall Astra/GTC. Lol, At first I thought it was Kia, then at second guess a Hyundai only to get so close to read the badge..
Personally(alloys apart)I quite like it. The de-chromed black edition should look good for those who prefer the meaner looks.

Westy is right, the 8L is destined to become a future classic!!! The 8p never really did anything for me although the later versions are starting to grow on me. Sorry but the 8v is such a let down in the looks department whether it's an s3 or not I saw a regular version on the M1 last week and I swear I thought it was a new Astra...And come on now we all know the 8L S3 is the best and always will be!

Wow guys, you're all a bit harsh aren't you? As for 8Ls being a future modern classic, do you really think so? Why? I'm not sure what they really brought to the genre unlike some other true classics out there that really were game changers (Quattro, Golf GTI, Integra Type R DC2, 205 GTI, Clio V6...).

Don't get me wrong here, I LOVE my S3 and won't be letting her go for a LONG time yet and I agree they're classy motors, but I'm also open minded about their place in motoring history.

I still think the 8L is the greatest statement S3, the first time I ever saw one I fell in love with it right away, it had such a presence over all the other models in the range and from a distance you'd have to be an automotive retard not to tell it was a 'special' model.

The 8P has always been 'alright', but I only ever really bought it for it's modified potential. I've always been disappointed with it's road presence, and the fact they basically mirrored everything but the engine itself in the S-Line models. They stamp S-Line in the back of S-Line seats, in the standard S3 seats they don't even bother to stamp anything!

I'm pleased to see the new 8V has 300bhp and is 80kg lighter than 8P; there were rumours of 272bhp to start with that put it way behind vs. the Focus RS / Astra GTC VXR etc. The quad pipes are also a welcome addition, but that for me is where any wow ends. The rear diffuser is a joke (the plastic diffuser fins are laughable cosmetic afterthoughts), and the wheels are so small they look lost in the body shell. I'm convinced they intentionally make the S-Line look close to the S3 these days as it's such a draw for people who want the look. In the latest Audi mag it talks of Halo models (S/RS) have really driven sales of S-Lines so it's more of the same on the 8V. A missed opportunity, so this (8P3) will probably be my last S3.

It may well be like the 8P as in out the box its rapid and safe but as already said it just doesn't have charisma/stance just like its predecessor,I sometimes come back to my ten year old car parked up with something else on my mind,see it and and geniunely am impressed and then realise its my S3 and see it in a different light then.

The S-line factor is a money grabbing idea also the added kick in the nuts will be that chances are that 8V S3 lookalikes will soon appear for sale when a few real ones disappear,I guess Audi HQ don't look that far down to see that happening/to be bothered.

its all money, as said no presence next to standard models a few badges and styling pack (s line)
Lets face it we got lucky (8l s3)
Audi wanted to show other marques that they could do aggressive styling in there small hatchback, and the 8l got it.
Then some number cruncher strung up the designer and flared arches a subtle touches were binned in favour of money.
i happen to like the interior in the new s3, but other marques seem to do the interior and body aswell, audi take note

Really not a fan of the new S3. I just can't get my head round the new "look" of all the newer Audi models these days,

The design era of the B5/B6 a4's RS4, 8L S3, C5 A6/RS6 look timeless imo, i can honestly see them still looking good in 15 years time, but the same can't be said for the newer models (apart from the B7 RS4).

It seems Audi has only 1 designer as the whole range of Audi's look the same. Similar shaped front and rear lights for all models. The rear reminds me of a Q7. It's getting old and boring now. To me the S3 should look aggressive, like the golf R is to the gti.

Kia's new range of cars are better looking than Audi's. WTF is up with that?

It seems Audi has only 1 designer as the whole range of Audi's look the same. Similar shaped front and rear lights for all models. The rear reminds me of a Q7. It's getting old and boring now. To me the S3 should look aggressive, like the golf R is to the gti.

Kia's new range of cars are better looking than Audi's. WTF is up with that?

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totally agree with you mate to the point i started stock piling of the things that are most likely to wear out on the S3... like CV boots ball joints the dreaded pedal...

as other said the 8P3 S3 would be the last i drive along with a RS3 i fancy that along with the B7 RS4 thats where it ends

what do the current 2 litres have their boost set at ? .9 ? because all they have done is basically upped the boost to 1.2, bigger turbo i would imagine - or maybe just a slight mod to the old one (diff compressor etc) - looks like you wont get the gains from a map that you used to now !!

audi make their cars understeer, it's not an accident or lack of designing skill - it is considered safer, an arb change costing £500 will change that and spending £500 on a £30,000 is not much is it !!

i doubt the 8l will ever become a classic, too many of them, but - that's not to say i do not like the 8l, i miss mine lol !!

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